DAVAO del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib has stepped in to address the abaca issue in Talaingod, Davao del Norte, where a score of Indigenous People (IPs) were affected by the suspension of abaca-buying operations.
The provincial government of Davao del Norte, the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), and local buyers have joined forces to support the indigenous people (IP) communities in Talaingod affected by the suspension of abaca buying operations.
The issue stemmed when Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) imposed a “red-tagging” where traders have ceased buying abaca from Talaingod, Davao del Norte, due to concerns over the quality of fake abaca daratex fibers.
Daratex abaca is a type of abaca fiber that is often of low quality and prone to processing problems. Daratex fibers are considered to be fake or counterfeit, as they do not meet the standards of genuine abaca fibers. The term "daratex" is used to describe these subpar fibers and distinguish them from high-quality, genuine abaca fibers that are used for various applications, such as papermaking, textiles, and rope production.
The suspension of buying operations for daratex abaca was reportedly due to the low quality of the fibers, which posed problems for traders and processors.
Jubahib quickly took action to alleviate the situation in Talaingod, where he visited the area to provide food packs, seedlings, and planting materials to support the IP communities. He emphasized the need to resolve the issue to prevent the return of insurgency in the province.
Over 2,638 indigenous peoples (IPs) families from 70 sitios in Talaingod, Davao del Norte, were affected by the suspension of abaca-buying operations.
On Monday, Jubahib PhilFIDA Executive Director Annray Rivera and several exporters discussed long-term interventions to resolve the issue. This after PhilFIDA lifted on February 7, 2023 the red-tagging on the buying of abaca from the Davao Region, allowing traders to resume purchasing the fiber.
One of the solutions discussed during the closed-door meeting was the Jubahib administration’s commitment to eliminating fake abaca from the municipality and replacing it with true abaca varieties, such as tanggongon, inosa, and maguindanaon.
“I am determined to find a long-term solution to this issue and ensure that our IPs have a sustainable source of livelihood. Providing food and planting materials is just the first step. We must find ways to create economic opportunities for our IPs and make sure that they are able to support themselves for the long term,” Jubahib said.
With the support of the PhilFIDA and traders, Jubahib said he is committed to providing a sustainable solution that will not only help the IPs in the short term but also secure their livelihood for the long term.
“We are exploring the value-adding of discarded daratex fibers, including turning them into sacks and boxes, and providing support for affected IP farmers during the transition period through the provision of planting materials for cash crops, fruit trees, and poultry,” Jubahib said.
Jubahib added, “The abaca industry is crucial for our region, and I will do everything in my power to help our IPs produce high-quality abaca that buyers demand. This is key to ensuring their long-term success."
The governor also underscored the collaboration between the provincial government of Davao del Norte, PhilFIDA, and local buyers which he said “demonstrates their commitment to supporting the IP communities and resolving the abaca issue in Talaingod.” PR